Patricia Herber, an accomplished educator, welcomes us to a wonderful examination of her most recent book, “Butterflies, Bears, and Other Poems for Children,” which teaches through the age-old art of storytelling and vivid imagery. This beautiful collection, a bright mix of engaging poetry and eye-catching images, is more than just a children’s book; it’s a …
The end of Summer vacation can often be a bittersweet time for children as well as parents. While many students look forward to getting back to school to see their friends and classmates, some don’t want the fun days of Summer to come to a close. Getting children back into “school mode” can be challenging, so …
Obviously you can tell that I love teddy bears and live bear cubs because I have included them in the title of my book, “Butterflies, Bears, and Other Poems for Children.” As parents and grandparents, a Teddy Bear is usually one of the very first gifts that we give our children as a way to make …
Most school children are anticipating their Summer vacations starting in June and ending in August. June heralds many glorious hours spent on the beach building sandcastles, visiting water parks, animal parks and fun parks. Some families take their children camping or go to carnivals, zoos, and circuses. Plus, there’s always swimming, bike riding, fishing, hanging …
Slide into Summer, But Beware of the “Summer Slide” Read More »
Build a good old-fashioned Frosty-the-Snowman. Use a carrot for the nose, sticks for arms, and a hat on the head… Sing the popular FROZEN song, “Do you want to build a Snowman? As you build your snowman. Make an upside-down snowman. Add boots for the feet. Play “Pin the Smile on the Snowman.” Pass out cookies. …
Even if you live in a warmer than normal climate with no snow, these books are fun. There is a whole new world that exists because of snow. The Mitten, by Jan Brett, is a classic Ukranian folktale picture book that children are sure to enjoy. When Nicki drops one of his new white mittens in …
Christmas is a holiday that is packed with rich traditions and history. Celebrated by most Christians on December 25, it commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth and many people celebrate by going to church on Christmas Eve. Popular songs or carols that are sung include “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World,” and “Away in a …
The warmth of a fireplace in the living room, a cozy blanket, and a special holiday book can make magical Christmas memories for you and your children. Reading aloud to your child benefits his/her language development and literary skills. It also increases vocabulary and creativity while encouraging a lifelong love of reading. So, please consider …
I grew up being fascinated by the Mother Goose Rhymes! I loved hearing “Humpty Dumpty, Mary Had a Little Lamb”, etc. I truly believe that hearing the rhythm of the verses helped me to be a better reader. I enjoyed reading them to my own children and I am now reading them to my grandchildren. …
As a first grade teacher I spent a large part of my instructional day teaching reading to my students. There are many ways to teach reading, such as phonics, context clues, use of pictures to comprehend the story, etc. But I find that using rhymes can be the most fun and easy way to increase …
It’s hard to believe that November has arrived, but we know it is here because of falling leaves, cooler days, hunting season, and football games. Soon Thanksgiving Day will be here as well. This special day started in 1863 when a woman named Sarah Hale asked President Abraham Lincoln to make Thanksgiving an official holiday …
I have spent a large part of my life with young children as an Elementary teacher; and I credit many rewarding experiences in the classroom, especially the topics I taught in first grade, as the inspiration for the poems that I have included in my book. When summer vacation was over the first year I …
Where Did I Get the Inspiration for “Butterflies, Bears, and Other Poems for Children”? Read More »
Children love the magic of Halloween – parties, dressing up in their favorite costumes, trick- or – treating, and getting candy. But no matter how exciting and fun this holiday can be, there are still some safety precautions that parents need to know in order for their children to be safe. First, their costumes need …
In the month of October many schools celebrate Fire Prevention Week which is an annual event designed to raise awareness of fire dangers and to get the word out to parents, teachers, and children about fire safety tips. Fire safety does not need to be a serious or scary topic for kids. The key is …
I wrote these two poems because many people believe, as do I, that seeing butterflies shortly after losing a loved one is a beautiful sign that the spirit of your loved one lives on. I think that is an extremely comforting thought. It is sad to know though that each adult Monarch lives only about …
The Butterflies part of my title is because I like butterflies, especially Monarchs. I look forward to seeing them every Summer in my backyard with their brilliant orange-red wings, black veins, and white spots along the edges. Being a first grade teacher, every September my class would observe real eggs on milkweed leaves turn into …
Where I Got the Title for my book, “Butterflies, Bears, and Other Poems for Children” Read More »
To guide your kid to succeed in academics you should do your part to ensure that your child starts school with a solid foundation in language and literacy-related skills and a desire to learn to read. In the early elementary years – from first to third grades – your kid will continue learning how to …
When we discuss children’s growth, the most tackled aspects are mainly the emotional as well as physical progress of a developing child. However, equally important is the encouragement of children’s imagination and creativity throughout their childhood. Imagination directly affects a child’s emotional state and physical growth. Therefore, creative play is the playful handling of emotions …
Deep-rooted joy is complex but rewarding. You can significantly increase your child’s chances of being happy and joyful just by the way you raise him or her. Childhood is the time for children to be in school and at play.It is important to pay attention that they grow strong and confident with the love and …
Happy Childhood Experiences Make a Happier Adult Read More »
For children who are about to begin learning and reading they will find colorful illustrations in children’s books extremely interesting. Illustration has a strong impact when it represents or highlights a particular idea. If you look at some of the earlier books in the Middle Ages such as Bible stories, you will find thousands of …
When I was growing up as the middle child in a family of 8 children, my childhood memories included Mother Goose Rhymes which were popular at that time, and we merrily jumped rope to chants that rhymed.
